THE dreaded stormtroopers from the classic Star Wars films descended on Birmingham to bring back memories of the famous sci-fi trilogy.

Stormtroopers were on duty outside the Alexandra Theatre checking out the audience as they turned up for the 60-minute one-man show written and performed by Canadian Charles Ross.

He single-handedly plays all the characters, sings the music and fights the battles as he condenses the plots of all three films in just one hour on stage.

People who turned up to the theatre last night were unanimous in their praise of the Star Wars films, first screened in the 1970s and '80s, saying they still compared favourably with anything that had been made since.

Some fans even came dressed up as characters from Star Wars to ensure they really caught the atmosphere.

One family from Bromsgrove came entirely kitted out in Star Wars costumes.

Accounts manager Tina Sayce-Jones, aged 43, came dressed up as bounty hunter Jango Fett, husband Robin, a 44-year-old software design engineer, and their son Nathan, 11, appeared as a clone trooper, while seven-year-old Jonathan came as hero Luke Skywalker.

Tina, from Old Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, said: "We are not mad, we are just up for a bit of a laugh.

"If you are going to come to a Star Wars show you have to dress up.

"Robin and I have probably seen the original films three or four times each and the children have seen them on video."

Nathan added: "I think it's great. I have seen the original films all on video."

Children Blewe, aged 11 and her brother Remel, eight, from Curdworth, Warwickshire, took the opportunity to be photographed with the stormtroopers on display outside the theatre.

Mum Marlena said: "They absolutely love it. They watched it on video. I'm not so keen but we've come here for the children."

Eldest son Tash, aged 18, added: "I've seen all the films. Star Wars is still the best."

Dominic Moore, aged 33, from Bearwood, a project manager with Birmingham City Council, said: "I only bought tickets for the show after seeing it previewed in yesterday's Birmingham Mail.

"I have been a fan of Star Wars since I was a little boy so I couldn't miss this opportunity."

We bought the costumes especially for the show in the last couple of weeks."